Moon vows to push prosecution reform forward

President Moon Jae-in offers a public apology over the growing fuss on Justice Minister Cho Kuk's alleged involvement in financial crimes at Cheong Wa Dae, Monday. Yonhap

By Kim Yoo-chul, Park Ji-won

President Moon Jae-in offered a public apology over the growing fuss relating to the deepening investigation into corruption allegations on Justice Minister Cho Kuk and his family.

"I was hoping Minister Cho would lead the reform of the country's prosecutors' office, but this is looking unlikely. Consequently, I am very sorry for causing a lot of conflict among the public," Moon said at the start of a meeting with senior presidential aides at Cheong Wa Dae, Monday, according to press pool reports.

But President Moon asked his secretaries and relevant government agencies to move forward with plans for completing the reform of the country's prosecutors' office.

President Moon had stood firmly and sternly by Cho, one of his top lieutenants, who he appointed 35 days ago despite strong resistance from opposition parties. But the growing controversy over Cho dented the popularity of Moon and his ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), according to recent polls, an alarming signal for Cheong Wa Dae and the DPK ahead of "very crucial" national elections in April next year.

Recent polls showed Moon's support rate dropped to the lowest levels since he took office in 2017. In a survey of some 1,000 South Koreans released last week by Gallup Korea, 51 percent of the respondents negatively rated Moon's performance in state affairs, compared to 43 percent who said he was doing a good job. The survey's margin of error was plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.

"Justice Minister Cho showed his firm willingness to reform the prosecution and that won public backing with the necessity to do so. I believe today's announcement released by the minister on the specifics of the prosecution reform is a big step. No one else had done that. So, it's important to pass implementing legislation so there will be the creation of a backbone in reforming the prosecution," Moon said.

Moon accepted Cho's offer of resignation. Cho offered to step down from the ministry amid a widening investigation into allegations of some financial wrongdoings and academic favors surrounding his daughter, a scandal that has deeply polarized national opinion.

President Moon has placed the reformation of the prosecution as one of his top priorities in state affairs as he believes prosecutors have excessive authority to indict and seek warrants for criminal suspects and exercise control over police investigation activities.

"Despite Cho's resignation, President Moon will ask the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and relevant government agencies for the passing of Cho's reform agenda in the National Assembly," a senior Cheong Wa Dae official said.

South Korea's main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) called Cho's resignation offer "too late." The conservatives claim the ruling DPK was "excessively pressuring" local prosecutors over a legitimate criminal probe mostly surrounding some key members of the incumbent administration.

Claiming Cho's resignation is the beginning of the normalization of the government, Rep. Na Kyung-won, floor leader of the LKP, told reporters that "President Moon should apologize for creating division between people and not listening to their opinions under the current administration."

She added that some pending bills are not valid and political parties should resolve other issues "one by one."

Rep. Oh Shin-hwan, floor leader of the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party, said in a statement that "President Moon should apologize to the people and fire his aides for provoking public divisions."

He also added that political parties should discuss ways to pass fast-tracked bills on prosecution reform including ones establishing an independent special investigation unit for high-ranking officials and adjusting investigative powers.

The DPK expressed regret over Cho's resignation, pledging that the party will join hands with Cheong Wa Dae to complete the prosecution reform.

DPK spokesman Hong Ihk-pyo told reporters his party was regretful over Cho's decision. "It was Cho's efforts that built the relevant regulations, which hadn't been done by any government despite fierce opposition from the privileged... It is time for us to seek prosecution reform for sure," the spokesman said.

The progressive Justice Party also defended Cho, saying he made some "meaningful progress" in prosecution reform by dismantling special investigation units of the prosecution. The party also urged the LKP to join the National Assembly discussion for political reform.

"Amid difficulties of the prosecution's investigation, we highly evaluate the fact that Cho did not give up the determination on prosecution reform," Yoo Sang-jin, spokesman of the Justice Party, said in a statement. "The LKP should stop creating divisions and actively join the moves to pass reform bills for the people."

Yoo added his party will do its best to pass the fast-tracked bills on prosecution reform.

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